Award to celebrate exceptional efforts in tough year
A PRESTIGIOUS annual equine award will have a new focus this year taking into account the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sir Colin Spedding Award, which is presented each year to an ‘ unsung hero or heroine’, will celebrate those who have gone ‘ above and beyond’ during this challenging year.
To allow time for as many nominations as possible under this new title, the deadline has been extended to Friday, October 16
“We have already received many nominations for individuals and organisations, as yet without accolade, who have made exceptional efforts beyond their usual job or remit, during this troublesome year,” said Tim Brigstocke, chair of organisers National Equine Forum ( NEF).
“The pandemic continues to present challenges for the equestrian sector on an unprecedented scale and we believe we should acknowledge the trials, tribulations and extraordinary efforts undertaken to overcome the challenges we have all been living through over the past seven months.”
The 2021 Award will be renamed the Sir Colin Spedding Covid- 19 Award and any individual or organisation, from any equestrian field, is eligible, specifically for their efforts during the pandemic and providing their work has not been formally acknowledge elsewhere.
Non pandemic- related nominations that have already been received will be carried over to 2022.
Presented each year at the Forum, previous winners of the award have included Suffolk Punch Champion Nigel Oakley, farrier Dr Simon Curtis and fire and rescue pioneer Jim Green.
The one day NEF event will take place on Thursday, March 4. The conference brings together industry experts and this year’s event included Richmond Equestrian Centre owners Andrew and Abigail Turnbull talking about Strangles. Go to nationalequineforum. com